August 29, 2008	Friday	Sha’aban 26, 1429

LAHORE, Aug 28: Defending champions PIA and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) moved into the final of the 28th national Junior hockey championship at the National Hockey Stadium here on Thursday.

Three-goal Adeel Hassan helped PIA earn an emphatic 5-0 win against Pakistan Steel, the bankers swamped Army 4-1.

Despite PIA’s relentless onslaught Pakistan Steel Mills’s defense thwarted various scoring attempts as the first half remained barren.

But the second session saw, the losers bowed to the constant pressure of the national carriers due to fierce attacks as Adeel stole the limelight. After PIA drew the first blood through Kashif Ali in the 42nd minute off a penalty stroke conversion, a minute later Adeel started his stunning form and doubled the lead scoring a field goal. Taking advantage of Steel’s disjointed defense Adeel netted his second goal in the 52nd minute and then two minutes later completed the hat-trick with a brilliantly executed combined move. Under tremendous pressure, Steel conceded fifth goal when PIA striker Shahbaz slotted nine minutes before the final hooter. PIA earned six penalty corners and a penalty stroke while Pak Steel had five penalty corners.

NBP’s clash against Army also remained one-sided, despite the bankers could score just one in the first session.. International Mohammad Attique forged NBP ahead in the 18th minute with a powerful penalty corner conversion and the bankers led 1-0 at half time.

Second half saw NBP exerting pressure and that paid dividends. Three minutes in this period NBP doubled the lead through Yasir Shabbir on field attempt. Rizwan Khan was the star of NBP as the striker netted two goals in 45th and 49th minutes respectively. Naseebullah struck the consolation goal for the losers in the 55th minute.